Inspiring Hikers to Create Trails for Everyone, Forever

Washington is home to extraordinary hiking destinations, including desert dunes, wild beaches, tranquil mountain tops and raging rivers. Washington is also home to a community of people who are passionate about exploring and protecting these places. This constituency—our members and supporters—is key to the future of trails in Washington.

Washington Trails Association (WTA) is the nation’s largest hiking and trail maintenance nonprofit. We have a 50-year legacy of engaging the hiking community to ensure Washington’s trails stand the test of time. With more than 27,000 members and an online community of over 300,000 and growing, we are connecting people to the outdoors — from everyday adventures to backcountry explorations. Each year 4,500 WTA volunteers perform over 160,000 hours of trail maintenance across the state. We mobilize hikers as public lands advocates, trail stewards, and on-the-ground experts sharing knowledge with fellow hikers. WTA’s strength is our community and our vision depends on fostering an inclusive organization where everyone feels welcome and represented. Together we can ensure there are trails for everyone, forever. 

Position summary

Washington Trails Association is seeking a Training and Leadership Development Coordinator who loves working with people and shares our commitment to trail stewardship, volunteerism and building community. This position oversees our trail maintenance program’s training calendar, develops curriculum and collaborates with other team members to coordinate trainings for both staff and volunteers statewide. They will also play a key role in recruiting and mentoring volunteer chief and assistant crew leaders. The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented team player who is passionate about teaching and inspiring a growth mindset in others. 

The Training and Leadership Development Coordinator is a full-time, non-exempt position based in WTA’s downtown Seattle office that reports to the Trail Program Senior Manager.

Primary Responsibilities

Training Coordination and Administration – 60%

• Serve as process owner and main point of contact for statewide Trail Maintenance training program, including tracking progress of training and leadership development goals and managing the annual training calendar.
• Develop, coordinate and facilitate volunteer and staff trainings across the state, in partnership with team staff. 
• Oversee annual Crew Leader College training weekend and associated logistics; chair and organize cross-team planning committee.
• Provide thought partnership, coordination, facilitation and other key support for trail maintenance staff trainings including but not limited to seasonal crew leader onboarding.
• Annually review and update training manuals, curriculum and other materials.
• Ensure training certifications are tracked in WTA’s Salesforce database.
• Communicate with external instructors, consultants and partner organizations.

Leadership Development – 30%

• Establish and maintain relationships with the volunteer leadership community. Provide feedback on volunteer performance.
• Chair statewide assistant crew leader recruitment and application review committee. 
• Support regional staff with volunteer chief crew leader recruitment and orientation.

General – 10%

• Support the Volunteer Program Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator with event coordination and program logistics as necessary. 
• Attend work parties and other WTA events as needed (may include occasional overnights, evenings and/or weekends).
• Actively participate in organization and team meetings, trainings and other events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Skills, Knowledge, and Values

Competitive candidates will highlight the following experience in their application, or express willingness to learn:

• Demonstrated commitment to WTA’s mission and values on diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Prior education, curriculum development, program administration, volunteer management or other relevant experience. Experience with learning and development technology applications and vendors is a plus.
• Strong facilitation skills and experience teaching adults; familiarity with adult learning styles.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite. Experience with Salesforce CRM database is a plus.
• A deep understanding of the experiences and community issues affecting those marginalized in mainstream outdoor opportunities, such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and/or LGBTQ+ communities.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively to meet program/organization goals. Enthusiastic about embracing new challenges.
• Ability to accept and integrate feedback graciously, and give effective feedback to team members and volunteers.
• Cultural competency experience and demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds.
• Willingness to travel statewide and have a valid driver’s license.

Location and Schedule

The Training & Leadership Development Coordinator is a full-time, non-exempt position based in WTA’s Seattle office. WTA has a hybrid work model with at least 2 days of work per week in-person at our Seattle office. Schedule will include regular weekend work and occasional evenings. This role requires statewide travel up to 25% of time. WTA reimburses mileage at the current IRS rate when driving a personal vehicle.  Vaccination requirements are in place for WTA staff and volunteers.

Compensation

Compensation starts at $23.00-$25.00 per hour depending on experience. WTA offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision and long-term disability insurance; retirement plan; and holiday, vacation, parental and sick leave. 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

WTA is committed to advancing equity and continually working to become a more inclusive organization. We believe WTA, and Washington’s hiking community, is made better by people with varied backgrounds, identities, abilities and lived experience. People of color and others with identities that are underrepresented in the outdoor industry (including but not limited to: gender identity, class, socioeconomic status, conviction history, sexual orientation, age, ability, and background) are strongly encouraged to apply.

WTA does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, color, gender identity, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.